051215 daily corinthian e edition by Daily Corinthian

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2015

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Daily Corinthian Vol. 119, No. 110

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• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section

Contractor sues over water project BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

The contractor on Corinth’s surface water treatment plant has filed suit against the city and the Corinth Public Utilities Commission, demanding compensation for extra work the business says it was made to perform beyond the scope of

the contract. Georgia-based P.F. Moon and Company filed a complaint in September in U.S. District Court, and a trial date is set for April 25, 2016, in Oxford. Claiming breach of contract, the plaintiff seeks damages of almost $1.6 million plus interest and costs.

In March, the city and the utilities commission filed a counterclaim against the contractor, according to court documents. Moon’s complaint includes a list of tasks the contractor says it was caused to perform that were not required by the contract, including additional grad-

ing in the lagoons, additional rip-rap at the existing detention pond, a metal roof connection at the filter building and moving the polymer tanks, among many others. The complaint alleges this increased the contractor’s cost and time required to complete the work. Moon submitted a claim for

additional compensation, the bulk of which was denied by the engineering firm on the project, Cook Coggin Engineers. In a joint filing responding to the complaint, the city and utilities commission denies the items in question were not rePlease see LAWSUIT | 2

Tourism department seeks mobile app 1 killed

in wreck

BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com

There’s an app for that. Corinth visitors may soon be able to download a mobile application to help find their way around the Crossroads. Corinth Area Convention & Visitor’s Bureau board members will decide at their next meeting to partner with mobile application company Bluebridge to create a new Visit Corinth app which will provide tourists with information on local attractions, restaurants, retailers, hotels, healthcare and other services. “A mobile app will help us provide the public with a handy way to get information about the area,” said tourism director Christy Burns. “As long as everyone gets behind it and supports it, I think it will be a great thing.” Burns and media consultant Mia Nickels researched several tourism apps available for cities across the country before deciding to go with Bluebridge. “We really like the setup of their Visit Gatlinburg app,” said Nickels. “It provides everything we would want to provide our visitors broken up into different categories like stay, dine, play, events and more.” Nickels said the app would

BY ZACK STEEN zsteen@dailycorinthian.com

Staff Photo by Zack Steen

Corinth Area Convention & Visitor’s Bureau media consultant Mia Nickels recently met with business owners, attraction managers and other members of other area organizations about the possibility of a Visit Corinth mobile application. help lower the cost associated with out of date brochures and maps. “The app will help us get away from doing so many hand outs,” she said. “We will be able to push information to everyone who has downloaded the app. It’s something we have never had the ability to do with traditional marketing.”

Nickels said the app would allow the department to send push notifications to users about upcoming events or last minute changes. “If approved, my goal is to get it up and running for the Slugburger Festival in July,” added Nickels. “We could create T-shirts, business cards, signs and more to promote

the downloading of the app. Each piece would have a QR code, which would take a person directly to the app page for download.” If approved, the mobile app would cost the tourism department $600 per month to maintain. There would be no cost to a business to be included on the app.

Event aims to beautify high school

Festival set to start Thursday Staff Reports

ADAMSVILLE, Tenn. — Celebrating the achievements of area law enforcement officers, the 27th Annual Buford Pusser Festival has been slated for Thursday–Saturday to coincide with National Law Enforcement Officers Week. Held in Adamsville, the free public event will feature live music, entertainment and family-friendly fun. Sheriff Craig Webre of Lafourche Parish in south Louisiana will be honored as the 2015 recipient of the National Law Enforcement Award. Having served for 22 years as sheriff of Lafourche Parish, Webre has restored leadership and brought integrity and vision to his office. Shortly after becoming sheriff, he adopted the agency motto “We will do whatever it takes to properly serve the public”. Through his leadership, the sheriff’s office was able to

BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com

GLEN — Zeb Taylor had a chance to reconnect with his old high school. The Alcorn Central High School graduate also played a part in helping beautify the campus. Taylor, an agent with Modern Woodmen of America, brought the “Join Hands Day” of the agency to ACHS last week. “Join Hands Day” is a national day of service sponsored by Modern Woodmen and other fraternal benefit societies. Taylor and Beta Club members of the school cleaned up Please see ACHS | 2

TISHOMINGO COUNTY — One person died and three others were hurt in a head-on collision Saturday on the Natchez Trace Parkway in Tishomingo County. Sheila Bellocq, 61, of Louisiana was northbound near Highway 30 when her car struck a southbound car driven by Cara Russell of Smithville. Bellocq died, while Russell and two other female passengers in her car were flown to the hospital. Russell’s husband, Andrew Russell, was also riding in the car with his wife, but was not injured. The accident remains under investigation. (The Associated Press contributed to this story.)

Madelyn McVey adds mulch around new plants during “Join Hands Day” at Alcorn Central High School.

Please see FESTIVAL | 2

25 years ago

10 years ago

The Corinth-Alcorn Chamber of Commerce holds the first in a series of community meetings to inform the public of industry recruitment efforts and encourage community unity. Community Unification Committee Chair Joe Vann says the community must work together to encourage progress.

Kossuth High School’s Class of 2005 dedicates a memorial bench to their late classmate Justin Williams. Williams, a football and baseball standout lost a battle with leukemia following his junior year.

the

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PROGRESS

Doug Ann Michael Rick Jumper Hardin McCreary Jones

Neil Paul

Marea John Wilson Hayes

2782 S Harper Rd www.jumperrealty.com

2 • Daily Corinthian

Local/Region

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Cat of the Week Straight Shift is the Daily Corinthian Cat of the Week. A male gray and white kitten, Straight Shift is currently in foster care, but can be at the shelter in the blink of an eye to meet his new family. To adopt Straight Shift or any pet at the CorinthAlcorn Animal Shelter call 662-284-5800 or visit the shelter at 3825 Proper Street.

Dog of the Week Tiffy (ID # 3990) is the Daily Corinthian Dog of the Week. A very young female Springer Spaniel mix, Tiffy is close to a year old. She is a lightweight beauty. To adopt Tiffy or any pet at the Corinth-Alcorn Animal Shelter, call 662-2845800 or visit the shelter at 3825 Proper Street.

FAA picks MSU to lead drone research center Associated Press

STARKVILLE — The Federal Aviation Administration announced Friday that Mississippi State University will lead a team of 13 universities in running a new national center to research unmanned aerial vehicles. The National Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems could signify that Mississippi’s effort to become a bigger player in the rapidly expanding world of drones is nearing liftoff. The Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE) is supposed to help the FAA find ways to safely combine drones with current manned aircraft. The research areas initially will include technology to allow aircraft to detect and avoid each other, how to fly safely at low altitudes, and how to work with air traffic control. “We expect this team will help us to educate and train a cadre of unmanned aircraft professionals well into the future,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement.

The FAA expects the center to begin research by September and be fully operational by January 2016. Congress has put up $5 million so far to fund the effort, with the universities planning to match the money. “This has been a six-year effort for Mississippi State and three years for our partner universities. We picked our team because they know unmanned systems and they know the FAA. That will make it easier to turn UAS research into FAA rules quickly,” retired Air Force General James Poss, who leads MSU’s team, said in a statement. Research areas initially will include detect-and-avoid technology, low-altitude operations safety and compatibility with air traffic control operations. The idea is to maximize the potential of drones while minimizing changes to current manned aircraft rules. U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., said the alliance is meant to be the nation’s top civilian academic center for research and policy development related to unmanned aircraft.

Trent Lott Former United States Senator Mississippi

FESTIVAL CONTINUED FROM 1

sheriff’s office was able to achieve national accreditation through C.A.L.E.A., an organization that he currently serves as vice president for the executive board and commissioner. Webre is the founder of P.A.C.T., an organization which mends relationships between parents and children in cases of domestic violence. The P.A.C.T Place is the only visitation center in the country ran entirely by law enforcement. As a participant in 2013 Police Unity Tour, the sheriff rode 250 miles by bicycle in an effort to raise funding and awareness for the Law Enforcement Memorial. Webre has been accepted into 255th Session of the FBI National Academy and is currently in his

Dear Sam, I hope things are going well in your race for Congress in Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District. It is surely the experience of a lifetime to travel the district and meet the wonderful people in north Mississippi. Our work together over the past twenty-five years both in Congress and the private sector make you uniquely qualified to serve in Congress. As my military aide when I served on the Senate Armed Services Committee and as Majority leader, you were a key to supporting our men and women in the armed services and providing assistance to the many military installations in the state. And in subsequent years, I will always remember your good work with Airbus and helping bring the helicopter plant to north Mississippi. You know the legislative process and economic development.

the campus and planted new flowers. Fresh mulch was also added to an area around the office. “The program gives us the chance to work with other groups to improve the community,” said Taylor. “We had the opportunity to connect with both young and older volunteers, which is the purpose of the day.” “Join Hands Day” brings youths and adults together to plan and complete volunteer service projects in their communities. As the generations work side by side, they learn more about each other, sparking

Sincerely,

Trent Lott

new levels of understanding and respect. “We have completed several projects around campus since I have been here,” said Beta Club Secretary Connor Lewis. “It was nice seeing someone who had graduated Central come back and help us make a positive impact on our school.” Twelve members of the club showed up to work during the day. “It’s important for the kids to have a vested interest in the school,” said Beta Club sponsor Rebecca Lewis. “They need to be involved in making it better.” Over the last few years,

Lewis has coordinated numerous efforts to beautify the campus. “It has been a big deal the last two or three years,” said the teacher. “We are going to spend a week in the summer doing more cleaning and painting.” Events such as “Joins Hands Day” and other beautification projects by students hasn’t gone unnoticed by ACHS Principal Brandon Quinn. “It’s encouraging to see teachers, students and alumni come together displaying pride for our campus,” said Quinn. “I want to thank all of those who helped make campus a little brighter.”

or did not reflect the actual costs incurred, if any.” The city and commission’s counterclaim against Moon and Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America, who held the contractor’s performance bond, argues that Moon breached its contract by failing to complete the work in a timely manner and in accordance with the contract. The city and commission withheld payment of $345,225.06 “to set off against liquidated damages owed by Moon for its untimely completion of the project and for the estimated costs

to complete and correct Moon’s defective work,” the complaint states. It seeks a judgment for that amount. Also, a third-party complaint was filed by the city and utilities commission against Cook Coggin. In the event that the city and commission are held liable for Moon’s claims, it alleges negligence and breach of contract. The Clifford Worsham Surface Water Treatment Facility, located east of Glen, went into operation in 2013. It taps the TennTom Waterway as a water source with the capacity to withdraw 10 million gallons a day.

LAWSUIT CONTINUED FROM 1

The good people of Mississippi were so good to me in serving them in Congress for 35 years, that I don’t feel it is incumbent on me to try to tell them how to vote. As for myself, I know firsthand of your tremendous capabilities and have no doubt that you would be a great Congressman. My support is with you.

bery within three minutes of the incident. Commended for his quick response and bravery in confronting a violent and dangerous suspect without hesitation, the sheriff was nominated as a well respected law enforcement officer who has gone the extra mile to serve and protect the citizens of Humboldt. “Want to thank both of these men who have gone above and beyond their duties for the health and safety of others,” said Dwana Pusser, daughter of the late Sheriff Buford Pusser. (For more information call the Buford Pusser Home & Museum at 731632-4080 or visit the website at www.bufordpussermuseum.com. The museum is located at 342 Pusser Street in Adamsville, Tenn.)

ACHS CONTINUED FROM 1

May 6, 2015

6th term as sheriff. Following in the late Bufford Pusser’s footsteps, he was nominated for his efforts to deliver his office from corruption and into the light and for his unparalleled service to others. In addition to Webre, Police Chief Robert Ellis of Humboldt, Tenn., will receive the Local Law Enforcement Award. Serving Humboldt for the past 27 years, Ellis began his career as a patrol officer in 1988. He became a D.A.R.E. officer early in his career and later taught a school program called “Challenges and Choices.” He was promoted to patrol sergeant in 1995, lieutenant in 2004 and recently to chief of police in 2014. Ellis is credited with apprehending an armed suspect in a recent rob-

quired by the contract. The defendants argue that the contractor’s claim is “barred by its own negligence including, but not limited to, its failure to provide materials and to construct the project in a good and workmanlike manner and in accordance with all applicable contract documents” and that any added costs were caused by the acts or omissions of other parties than the defendants. In a court filing, Cook Coggin Engineers said Moon’s alleged damages are “speculative, contingent, unreasonable and/

Correction Vote Today, May 12th, from 7 a.m to 7 p.m. Vote for Conservative Republican Sam Adcock for Congress. Paid for By Sam Adcock for Congress

An error appeared in Saturday’s Corinth Home Tour story. The major renovation project on the Verandah-Curlee House did not cost $2 million. According to The Siege and Battle of Corinth Commission, less than one

fourth of that amount has been used in recent years and some restoration features had to eliminated from the plan due to lack of funding. The historic home is set to open to the public on June 5 with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Today in History

Local/Region

Daily Corinthian • 3

Across the Region Event Saturday to raise awareness about bullying

Today is Tuesday, May 12, the 132nd day of 2015. There are 233 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History: On May 12, 1975, the White House announced the new Cambodian government had seized an American merchant ship, the Mayaguez, in international waters. (U.S. Marines gained control of the ship three days after its seizure, not knowing the 39 civilian members of the crew had already been released by Cambodia.)

COUNCE, Tenn. – Hillside NEW Beginnings (Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning) will host their 3rd Annual Italian Festival & Anti-Bullying Awareness Day from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 16 at 3540 Damon Road in Counce, Tennessee. The festive event will feature good food, crafts and familyfriendly fun. Guests will enjoy pizza , Italian desserts, live music,

sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com

In 1780, during the Revolutionary War, the besieged city of Charleston, South Carolina, surrendered to British forces. In 1870, an act creating the Canadian province of Manitoba was given royal assent, to take effect in July. In 1922, a 20-ton meteor crashed near Blackstone, Virginia. In 1932, the body of Charles Lindbergh Jr., the kidnapped son of Charles and Anne Lindbergh, was found in a wooded area near Hopewell, New Jersey. In 1937, Britain’s King George VI was crowned at Westminster Abbey; his wife, Elizabeth, was crowned as queen consort. In 1949, the Soviet Union lifted the Berlin Blockade, which the Western powers had succeeded in circumventing with their Berlin Airlift. In 1955, Manhattan’s last elevated rail line, the Third Avenue El, ceased operation. In 1965, West Germany and Israel exchanged letters establishing diplomatic relations. In 1970, the Senate voted unanimously to confirm Harry A. Blackmun as a Supreme Court justice. In 1982, in Fatima, Portugal, security guards overpowered a Spanish priest armed with a bayonet who attacked Pope John Paul II. (In 2008, the pope’s longtime private secretary revealed that the pontiff was slightly wounded in the assault.) In 1985, Amy Eilberg was ordained in New York as the first woman rabbi in the Conservative Jewish movement. Ten years ago: The Foreign Relations Committee voted 10-8 along party lines to advance John Bolton’s nomination to be U.N. ambassador without the customary recommendation that the Senate approve it. Microsoft officially unveiled its Xbox 360 video game console.

as a tool and instrument for change. (For more information contact Hillside New Beginnings at 731439-6591 or visit there website at http://www.hillsidenewbeginningsorganization.com to learn more about what they do.)

Annual Pusser Festival to be three-day event ADAMSVILLE, Tenn – The 27th Annual Buford Pusser Festival will be held in Adamsville, Tennessee, on Thursday, May 14 – Saturday, May 16 to coin-

cide with National Law Enforcement Officers Week. The City of Adamsville and the Pusser Family invite everyone to come out for a day of Family Fun and Entertainment, including music and fireworks. The event is free and open to the public. This 2015 honoree of the National Law Enforcement Award is Sheriff Craig Webre of Lafourche Parish in south Louisiana. The honoree of Local Law Enforcement award is Chief Robert Ellis of Humboldt, Tennessee.

1st class finishes fatherhood program BY STEVE BEAVERS

On this date:

comedy acts and other entertainment. In additional to Italian eats and lively activities, pony rides will also be available for children. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Tickets are $5 for adults age 18 and over. Children will receive free admission. All proceeds from the event will be used for operating expenses and scholarships. Hillside NEW Beginnings is a highly effective non-profit 501 (c) 3 which uses equine therapy

An effort to help jailed men become better fathers will graduate its first class. Southwest Human Resource Agency and McNairy County officials started the fatherhood pilot program which involved inmates of the McNairy County Jail. A ceremony to recognize those who completed the “Inside/Out Dad” program will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20 in the large courtroom at the McNairy County Justice Complex.

“These men have been active in the program from day one and we are proud of the steps they have taken to better themselves and become better fathers,” said Director of Workforce Investment Act Area 11 Jimmy Bell, who was head of the program. The program was created to equip incarcerated fathers with parenting skills along with other resources and opportunities such as the ability to complete their GED or HiSET (High School Equivalency Test) if needed. Bell credited McNairy Coun-

ty Career Specialist Fedtricia Barnes for her work with the project. “She has been instrumental in the success of the program and will continue to serve them upon release and connect them with potential employers,” he said. Inside/Out assisted inmates with resume preparation, interviewing skills and finding employment upon release all while improving their overall parenting skills. “The overall goal is to offer each father a better opportunity to provide for their fami-

lies and prosper upon release,” said SWHRA Executive Director Mike Smith, who expressed his appreciation to McNairy County Mayor Ronnie Brooks, McNairy County Sheriff Guy Buck, Judge Van McMahan and District Attorney Mike Dunavant for their support of the pilot program. Inside/Out follows the parenting curriculum which specifically targets incarcerated fathers. SWHRA plans to implement the “Inside/Out Dad” program in the remaining counties served by the agency beginning in July.

Mom says accused Ex-mayor released from suit killer is drug addict The Associated Press

The Associated Press

HATTIESBURG — A Mississippi man accused of fatally shooting two police officers has mental problems and is addicted to drugs, appearing high in photos after he was arrested, his mother said Monday. Mary Smith told The Associated Press that her son smoked synthetic marijuana known as “spice” daily and had been hearing voices ever since he was attacked and hit in the head with a pipe several years ago. Smith’s son, 29-yearold Marvin Banks, was charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of officers Benjamin Deen and Liquori Tate. The officers were slain Saturday night in what authorities have so far only described as a traffic stop gone awry. A preliminary investigation indicated Deen had pulled over a vehicle for speeding and then called for backup, which is when Tate arrived. Gunshots erupted in the road near the Hattiesburg Housing Authority office. Banks’ girlfriend, Joanie Calloway, was also charged with two counts of murder. His younger brother, 26-year-old Curtis Banks, is charged as an accessory to murder and Marvin’s friend Cornelius Clark is charged with obstruction. It’s not clear what warranted those charges. Warren Strain, a spokesman for the Mis-

sissippi Department of Public Safety, said it was too early to say who shot the officers or how many shots were fired, and it wasn’t clear what prompted the gunfire. More than 1,000 people filled a hall at the Hattiesburg convention center. Workers initially set up 800 chairs and many more were needed: Hundreds of people stood along the walls and spilled out into the lobby. With photos of the uniformed men projected above the stage, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant — himself a former police officer — said the city was enduring a difficult, sad time. Smith told AP that she has no doubt that Marvin killed the officers. She said he looked high in photos after his arrest. “You could tell something was wrong with him,” she said, speaking on the steps of the Forrest County Courthouse, where she had come to find out more information about her sons’ arrest. “I hate it for these families that he wasn’t in his right mind.” Marvin and his 6-yearold son lived with Smith, who works the night shift at a nursing home. She said she was resting before work when she got a call Saturday night that two officers had been shot and that Marvin, who is known by “Big Boy,” was involved.

OXFORD — Former Saltillo Mayor Bill Williams has been dismissed as a defendant in a wrongful termination suit filed by an ex-police officer. In September, former Assistant Police Chief Prentice Brown filed a First Amendment free speech retaliation complaint and a separate malicious interference claim against Williams and others. The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports U.S. District Judge Glen Davidson this past week found that since Williams was not mayor when Brown was terminated, he played no role in the decision to fire and could not have violated Brown’s right to free speech. On the malicious interference claim, the judge said there is a one-year statute of limitations on the claim. Brown’s lawsuit was filed one year and two months after the termination. Brown was suspended by Williams

on June 13, 2013. He was fired on July 10, 2013, by current Mayor Rex Smith. The city remains a defendant in the lawsuit. Brown argues his firing was politically motivated and violated his First and 14th Amendment rights. His lawsuit was filed last fall in federal court in Oxford. Brown worked for the Saltillo Police Department for 10 years. He was a vocal supporter of former Police Chief Steve Brooks’ Democratic bid for mayor. Williams chose not to run but supported fellow Republican Smith. According to the lawsuit, Williams refused to give Brown a reason for the suspension. In interviews with local news media, Williams said the suspension was because Brooks’ supporters were intimidating political opponents which led to perceived infighting in the police department.

Biloxi voters to choose mayor The Associated Press

BILOXI — Biloxi voters will choose the city’s first new mayor since 1993 on Tuesday. Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Andrew Gilich and Winfield Swetman III were top vote getters in the April 28 special election to get into the runoff. Together they pulled a little more than half of the 7,679 votes cast. The winner will complete the remainder of former Mayor A.J. Holloway’s term, which ends July 1, 2017. Holloway resigned in March due to an accumulation of health issues. Swetman tells The Sun Herald he sees growing the economy and diversifying family entertainment as the key issues. “Each neighborhood has different quality-of-life issues that are important to them,” said Swetman, a Har-

rison County supervisor. Depending on the part of town, he said voters have talked to him about ecology, flooding, speeding and bicycle pathways. Gilich, a business owner, said economic development and developing Biloxi as a brand are keys to bringing more jobs to the city. It comes down to who can go out and get new business and he said, “We’ve already had traction from the technology push,” He said. Business owners contacted him about moving to Biloxi after he proposed making it a “gigabyte city” to attract high-tech, high-paying jobs. “These people want an excuse to come to Biloxi and do business out of Biloxi,” Gilich said. The new mayor will be paid an annual salary of nearly $116,000 plus benefits.

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Opinion

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Mark Boehler, editor

4 • Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Corinth, Miss.

State battling execution issues on two fronts BY JACK ELLIOTT JR. Capitol Dome

JACKSON — On June 20, it will be three years since Mississippi’s last execution. On that date in 2012, Gary Carl Simmons Jr., a former grocery store butcher, was executed for dismembering a man during a 1996 attack in which he also raped the man’s female friend. Mississippi has gone through similar hiatuses. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1990 that a Mississippi law that described a capital crime to juries as “especially heinous, atrocious or cruel” without further definition was unconstitutionally vague. The ruling resulted in nearly two dozen Mississippi death sentences being overturned. For the rest of the 1990s, no executions took place in the state. The July 2002 execution of Tracy Allen Hansen was Mississippi’s first since 1989. From 1955 to 1964, Mississippi executed 31 men. Another four were put to death in the 1980s. Since 2002, including Hansen, 17 executions have taken place. The state is battling execution issues in two federal courts. The U.S. Supreme Court has pushed back a decision on the appeal of death row inmate Richard Gerald Jordan to at least May 14. Jordan’s arguments of prosecutorial vindictiveness and ineffective assistance of counsel have been pending before the nation’s high court since January. In those months, the court has asked for case documents from the Mississippi Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court in Jackson and the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. That indicates at least one justice had questions about Jordan’s appeals. Jordan was convicted of capital murder committed in the course of kidnapping Edwina Marta in Harrison County in 1976. Now 68, Jordan is the oldest inmate on Mississippi’s death row, having won three successful appeals only to be resentenced to death. He’s also the longest serving, having spent 38 years in death row. The attorney general’s office was poised to seek an execution date for Jordan if the Supreme Court had denied the appeal. In April, Jordan and fellow death row inmate Ricky Chase filed a federal lawsuit in Jackson challenging the legality of the state’s lethal injection procedures. They are opposing the state’s plans to execute prisoners by mixing pentobarbital from ingredients purchased from a compounding pharmacy in Grenada. Lawyer Jim Craig said Mississippi doesn’t seem to have ever used the drug in an execution, and he questioned whether the state can mix a safe and effective anesthetic. Mississippi’s current supply of pentobarbital is supposed to expire May 20. If the state cannot obtain pentobarbital, there is no backup method of execution. Hangings ended in 1940 as a means of execution. Mississippi stopped using the electric chair in 1954 and use of the gas chamber ended in 1998. Faced with similar challenges, Oklahoma recently enacted a law allowing execution by nitrogen gas as a backup to lethal injection. Utah reinstated the firing squad. Department of Corrections spokeswoman Grace Fisher said neither MDOC nor Corrections Commissioner Marshall Fisher “are making statements about execution drugs because of the ongoing litigation.” The state has not filed a response to the lawsuit. Whatever decision is rendered locally in the execution drug case will likely be appealed to the 5th Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. Attorneys for death row inmates not involved in this case would argue no execution dates should be scheduled while the suit is pending. The U.S. Supreme Court often is the last stop for inmates seeking a last-minute reprieve from execution. They rarely succeed. That’s a function of the need for five votes on the nine-justice court and the reluctance of appellate judges to disturb lower court rulings unless they are demonstrably wrong. On Friday, there were 47 inmates on death row, according to the MDOC website. (Daily Corinthian columnist Jack Elliott Jr. is a writer for the Associated Press based in Jackson.)

Prayer for today Father of life, I know I cannot hold youth. I may have prosperity or poverty. I thank thee that thou hast taught me that love may be kept changeless through all. Amen.

A verse to share “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.” Psalms 50:23

Why won’t Pamela Geller shut up? How dare Pamela Geller get targeted by terrorists bent on committing mass murder. That’s been the reaction of a portion of the opinion elite to news that Geller’s “Draw Muhammad” contest in Garland, Texas, was (unsuccessfully) assaulted by two heavily armed Muslim men in an attack ISIS took responsibility for. The Washington Post ran an article on Geller headlined “Event organizer offers no apology after thwarted attack in Texas.” News that the Post has yet to break: “Malala Yousafzai refuses to admit fault for seeking an education”; “Coptic Christians won’t concede error for worshiping wrong God”; “Unrepentant Shiites continue to disagree with Sunnis.” Yes, these are more sympathetic cases, but it is no more legitimate to shoot someone for drawing Muhammad than it is to shoot a girl for going to school, or a Copt or a Shia for his or her faith. Expecting apologies from these victims would be almost as perverse as expecting one from Pamela Geller. Respectable opinion can’t bear the idea that she has become a symbol of

free speech, which once upon a time was – and still is, when convenient – one of the Rich highest valLowry ues of the media and National the left. Review If Geller were a groundbreaking pornographer like the loathsome Larry Flynt, someone would already be planning a celebratory biopic of her life. If she were a gadfly sticking it to a major Western religion rather than to Islam, she might be considered more socially acceptable. Linda Stasi wrote a column for the New York Daily News titled “With Pamela Geller’s Prophet Muhammad cartoon stunt in Texas, hate rears its ugly face again.” The hatred referred to wasn’t that of the attackers but of Geller. In perhaps the most obtuse and least grammatical sentiment committed to print in the aftermath of Garland, Stasi argued that “Geller, like ISIS and al Qaeda, revel [sic] in hate ...” This is like saying that the Finns and the Red Army both reveled in shooting

guns during the Winter War, without taking account of who invaded and occupied whom. Geller holds events and writes blog posts deemed offensive by many, all of which are fully protected by our laws. ISIS beheads people and blows them up, all of which is criminal by any civilized standard. “While we have freedom of speech,” Stasi continued, “we also have freedom of religion, which shouldn’t be impinged upon.” This is a truism and a non sequitur: Tasteless speech doesn’t impinge upon anyone’s freedom of religion. Scurrilous and even hateful speech and cartoons – sometimes involving religion – have been featured in Anglo-American history going back centuries. They are an inevitable part of a free society. In this context, a drawing of Muhammad is mild. The only reason it seems different is that some Muslim radicals are willing to kill over it. Which is exactly why Pamela Geller’s event wasn’t purposeless. The event was placing a stake in contested ground, in a way it wouldn’t have if it had offended Quakers or Roman Catholics, who don’t massacre people who

insult them. It was a statement of defiance, of an unwillingness to abide by the rules of fanatics. “I feel that sometimes Muslims in America have become the last group in which public officials, organizations and others are allowed to publicly demean,” NBC reporter Ayman Mohyeldin opined the other day. What country does he live in? The so-called new atheists merrily deride Christianity with no worries for their health or safety. Meanwhile, cartoonists who draw Muhammad have to go into hiding. For better or worse, we live in a society in which nothing is sacred. If we are to accept the assassin’s veto, the only exception (for now) will be depictions of Muhammad, which would be perverse. A free society can’t let the parameters of its speech be set by murderous extremists. Give her this: Pamela Geller understands that, whereas her scolds don’t. Some of them can’t even tell the difference between her and her would-be killers. (Daily Corinthian columnist Rich Lowry can be reached via e-mail: comments.lowry@nationalreview.com.)

Shrill tone of race likely script for 2016 STARKVILLE — So what do we know after listening to the paid media and the candidate forums in Mississippi’s First District freefor-all to choose a successor to the late U.S. Rep. Alan Nunnelee? With 13 qualifiers, just listing the candidates to succeed Nunnelee consumes time and space. That fact has made meaningful candidate forums and debate difficult despite the best of intentions by most of the candidates and by various good government groups around the districts seeking and scheduling such events. Outside of those engaged in the inside baseball of politics, just naming all the contenders in this special election is a feat that eludes most average working voter in the district. Most journalists struggle to keep the list accurate. For the record, the Republican contenders include: businessman Boyce Adams of Columbus; former Airbus Helicopters executive Sam Adcock of Starkville; state Sen. Nancy Collins of Tupelo; Tupelo dentist Dr. Edward “Doc” Holliday; emergency room physician and budding novelist

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Dr. Starner Jones of Pontotoc; Lee County District Attorney Trent Kelly Sid Salter of Saltillo; Itawamba Columnist C o u n t y Prosecutor Michael “Chip” Mills, Jr. of Fulton; Tupelo attorney Greg Pirkle; former Eupora Mayor Henry Ross; Oxford attorney Daniel Sparks; Northern District Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert of Starkville; former Jackson City Councilman Quentin Whitwell of Oxford. The lone Democratic contender is Walter Zinn Jr. of Pontotoc. In many ways, this race is reminiscent of the 1996 campaign when the late 3rd District U.S. Rep. Sonny Montgomery stepped down in 1996. In all, 12 candidates sought the seat Montgomery was vacating in that 1996 race that eventually came down to a general election showdown between eventual winner Republican Chip Pickering and a Democratic nominee John Arthur Eaves Jr. But past the sheer num-

bers, the comparisons to the 1996 Third District race and the current First District special election falter. In the race to succeed Montgomery, candidates had to contend with Congressman Montgomery’s presence as they campaigned. Despite a lifelong political affiliation with the Democratic Party, Montgomery was popular with GOP voters and actually was more conservative than many Republicans. Yet from jump street, no Democratic candidate was given any real chance in 1996 of succeeding Montgomery for a seat that had been held for three decades by a Democrat. But there was one clear issue in the 1996 race that is visible in the special election to choose a successor to Nunnelee – the fact that conservative Republicans are having a difficult time gaining any separation from their like-minded colleagues in the race. For a host of the candidates competing for the runoff, trying to tick their similar views – against Washington, against Obama, against “Obamacare” and against “insid-

World Wide Web: www.dailycorinthian.com To Sound Off: E-mail: email: news@dailycorinthian.com Circulation 287-6111 Classified Adv. 287-6147

ers” – chews up 30 seconds of air time in a hurry. That leaves precious little time for those same candidates to tell voters what they actually support and what makes them unique among a remarkably wellqualified field of candidates. While Tagert and Kelly seem to be the leading contenders to make the runoff, there are several candidates with “county cluster” strategies who would break out. Others, like Pirkle, have gained ground with innovative marketing strategies. Republicans should watch the special election in the state’s First District as a dry run for the looming 2016 presidential and congressional races in Mississippi. Expect to hear the same basic themes from GOP candidates fighting to emerge from primaries. In the final days of the campaign, it will be interesting to see who gains the necessary separation to survive this crowded, rather confusing race. (Daily Corinthian columnist Sid Salter is syndicated across the state. Contact him at 601-507-8004 or sidsalter@sidsalter.com.)

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Editorials represent the voice of the Daily Corinthian. Editorial columns, letters to the editor and other articles that appear on this page represent the opinions of the writers and the Daily Corinthian may or may not agree.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

State/Nation

Across the Nation Associated Press

GM ignition switch deal toll hits 100 DETROIT — The death toll from faulty ignition switches in small cars made by General Motors has reached 100. The families of the victims are being offered compensation by Attorney Kenneth Feinberg, who was hired by GM last year. In addition, GM has agreed to make offers to 184 people who were injured in crashes caused by the switches in oldermodel cars such as the Chevrolet Cobalt. GM recalled 2.6 million of the cars last year, but acknowledged it knew about problems with the switches for more than a decade. Through much of last year, the company had blamed the switches for 13 deaths but conceded the toll would rise. During a Congressional hearing in June, Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., said the death toll could rise to 100 based on lawsuits and media reports. The “grim milestone” revives concerns about automakers quickly sharing information with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and for the agency to analyze data and promptly take action, DeGette said in a statement. “As we have seen with the problems with GM’s ignition switches, these failures can compound and bring tragic consequences for far too many innocent people,” she said.

Kerry to hold talks with Putin in Russia WASHINGTON — Sec-

retary of State John Kerry will travel to Russia this week for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kerry’s first visit to Russia since the Ukraine crisis began, the State Department announced Monday. Relations between Moscow and the West have been badly damaged over Ukraine, with Western nations accusing Russia of supporting separatists there with arms and manpower — a charge Moscow denies. Russia, meanwhile, has bristled at Washington’s pledge to provide Ukraine with military assistance in the form of hardware and training. The State Department said Kerry will meet Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Tuesday. It’s Kerry’s second trip to Russia since taking office. The announcement said Kerry will “discuss a full range of bilateral and regional issues, including Iran, Syria, and Ukraine.”

Postal Service lost $1.5 billion in ’15 WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service on Friday reported a net loss of $1.5 billion during the first three months of this year, noting that while more people are using its shipping and package services, it’s costly to do and revenues from other products have declined. The Postal Service is an independent agency that receives no tax dollars for its day-to-day operations but is subject to congressional control. It has asked to

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end most Saturday deliveries, a request that was blocked by Congress amid opposition by postal unions and others. According to its latest financial statement, which covers Jan. 1 through March 31, the Postal Service sent 420 million fewer pieces of mail compared to the same period last year. First-class mail fell by 2.1 percent and standard mail by 1.1 percent. But a 14.4 percent increase in shipping and package volume contributed to a slight uptick — 1.3 percent — in operating revenue.

Complaints against airlines increasing Consumer complaints against airlines are rising even as the carriers get slightly better at staying on schedule. The U.S. Department of Transportation said Monday that it received more complaints from consumers in March than it did in either the previous month or March of 2014. While the numbers are still very small — only about one in every 50,000 passengers complains to the government — they vary greatly among carriers. Passengers on Frontier Airlines are 34 times more likely to complain than passengers on Southwest Airlines, which has the lowest complaint rate. Spirit Airlines has the second-worst rate. The government says 78.7 percent of flights operated by the 14 largest airlines arrived on time in March, up from 72.8 percent in February and 77.6 percent in March 2014.

Associated Press

Trial likely delayed for woman in wreck HATTIESBURG — A Purvis woman charged with providing alcoholic drinks to six teenagers prior to a September wreck that killed three of the teens will likely have her trial postponed. The Hattiesburg American reports Kristi Morris was arrested Dec. 17 after a fatal accident that killed 17-year-old Justin Kelly, 16-year-old Carrigan Arban and 16-year-old Reagan Woolbright. Morris was scheduled to appear Tuesday before a judge, but her attorney said Thursday he filed a motion to have 13 misdemeanor charges dismissed to avoid duplicate trials. Morris was charged with six counts of letting minors possess or consume alcoholic drinks on her property among other charges.

Hawley will retire as superintendent QUITMAN — Quitman Municipal School District Superintendent Suzanne Hawley will retire when the school year ends this month. Hawley served nine years as superintendent for the Quitman city schools. She came to Quitman after serving seven years as superintendent for the Benoit School District in Bolivar County. She also taught 12 years Oklahoma schools. Hawley told The Meridian Star she wants to spend more time with her family. “It’s that time in my life where I have children and grandchildren in three different states and none of them are in Mississippi,” Hawley

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Man shot in brawl at Jackson nightclub JACKSON — A fight inside a Jackson nightclub ended in gunfire early Sunday morning. Police say the shooting occurred at Club Eclipse on West Street. Witnesses have told WAPT-TV a man was shot in the buttocks after a fight broke out at the club. Two shots were fired during the brawl, which involved about 30 people.

VT Halter delivers its largest vessel PASCAGOULA — VT Halter Marine has delivered a 25,000-metric ton combination container and roll-on/roll-off car truck carrier to Pasha Hawaii. It announced the delivery this week. The MV Marjorie C is the largest vessel ever launched by VT Halter. The MV Marjorie C is the second U.S. flagged Jones Act-qualified vessel built for Honolulubased Pasha Hawaii and will join its sister ship,

the MV Jean Anne, providing additional service to Hawaii. The MV Jean Anne, also built by VT Halter Marine, has been serving the Hawaii/Mainland since March 2005.

No bond for man in officer shooting HATTIESBURG — A judge has denied bond to a man accused of shooting two Hattiesburg police officers and charges against his girlfriend have been reduced. Marvin Banks faces two counts of capital murder in the Saturday shootings of Officers Benjamin Deen and Liquori Tate. Murder charges against Joanie Calloway were lowered to an accessory, meaning authorities believe Banks was the triggerman. So far, officials have described the shooting only as a traffic stop gone awry. Authorities say one officer was shot in the head, the other in the back. Both were wearing bullet-proof vests. Banks’ brother, Curtis Banks, was also charged as an accessory.

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THE CITY OF CORINTH, MISSISSIPPI NOTICE OF INTENT TO INCREASE MONTHLY RESIDENTIAL RUBBISH COLLECTION FEE Be it ordained by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Corinth, Mississippi that the Section 14-94(a) of the Ordinances of the City of Corinth be amended to increase the monthly residential rubbish collection fee to $2.75, to read as follows: Sec. 14-94. - Fees (a)As of July 1, 2015 there is hereby fixed and levied against the citizens of the City a garbage and trash collection and disposal monthly charge and/or fixed fee of twelve dollars ($12.00) for residential garbage collection, plus two dollars and seventy-five cents ($2.75) for residential rubbish collection upon each person or family occupying a house or an apartment or house trailer or manufactured home as a residence within the City. Such charge and/or fee is to be added to and billed with the utility bills issued by the gas and water department of the City. In the case of multi-family and/or apartment complexes of nineteen (19) or less units the person to whom the water service meter is registered shall be billed as provided herein. Action will be taken to adopt this amendment at the May 19, 2015 meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen which meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m.in the Boardroom of the Municipal Building at 300 Childs Street.

6 • Tuesday, May 12, 2015 • Daily Corinthian

Deaths Elmer Meeks

Funeral services for Elmer Truitt Meeks, 77, of Corinth, are set for 11 a.m. today at Magnolia Funeral Home Chapel of Memories with interment at Forrest Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the service. Mr. Meeks died Saturday, May 9, 2015, at his home, surrounded by his family. Born March 22, 1938, to Meeks the late Booker T. and Lottie Dellinger Meeks, he began his career as a sewing machine repairman and opened Meeks Sewing Center in 1971. He was the owner and operator

ents, Booker T and Lottie Dellinger Meeks; the mother of his children, Carolyn King Meeks; and two brothers, Marvin Meeks and Bobby Lynn Meeks. Serving as pallbearers are Steve Wilbanks, Jimmy Rogers, Kent Mills, John Meeks, Mark Meeks, Russell Meeks, Jerry Shaw and Butch Carmichiel. Bro. Raybon Richardson will officiate the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Union Baptist Church. Online condolences may be laft at magnoliafuneralhome.net.

of this business until 2011. Elmer was of the Baptist faith and a member of Union Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife of 12 years, Linda Meeks; two sons, Edwin Meeks (JuJuana) and Ronald Meeks (Julie), both of Corinth; three grandchildren, Matthew Meeks (Chasity), Charlie Meeks and Carolyn Grace Meeks, all of Corinth; one great-grandson, Tristan Truitt Meeks; three brothers, Floyd Meeks (Maxine) of Corinth, Alvin Meeks (Joann) of Booneville and Troy Meeks (Martha) of Corinth; three sisters, Ilene Wilbanks (Leiman), Virginia Smith, and Nelda Mitchell (the Rev. Ronnie Michell), all of Corinth; a sisterin-law, Gloria Meeks of Corinth; special friend Lavaughn Carmichiel; other relatives; and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his par-

Don Smith

Celebration of life for Don Edward Smith, 64, is set for 1 p.m. Wednesday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in the Fairview Church of God Cemetery.

Zimmerman case, 2014 incident linked The Associated Press

LAKE MARY, Fla. — The man who called 911 to report he was involved in a shooting with George Zimmerman appears to be the same person involved in a road rage incident with the former neighborhood watch volunteer last year. Lake Mary Police Officer Bianca Gillett said during a news conference Monday that Matthew Apperson called 911 to report the shooting. She said Zimmerman was not the shooter. Last September, Apperson said Zimmerman threatened to kill him, asking “Do you know who I am?” during a confrontation in their vehicles. Apperson decided not to pursue charges, and police officers were unable to move forward

without a car tag identified or witnesses. A bullet missed Zimmerman’s head, and he wasn’t seriously hurt, his attorney said. In the latest of a string of incidents since he was acquitted in the killing of Trayvon Martin, Zimmerman was sprayed with glass from his vehicle’s windshield and other debris in the Orlando suburb of Lake Mary, said the attorney, Don West. “His injuries would be considered minor,” West said. “The bullet missed his head. I think it broke a window and lodged in his vehicle.” Zimmerman was released from a hospital. West said before the news conference that Zimmerman thought he knew who was responsible for

the shooting and is cooperating with authorities. Zimmerman was acquitted in the 2013 killing of Martin, an unarmed black teenager, in a case that sparked protests and national debate about race relations. The Justice Department later announced it was not bringing a civil rights case against Zimmerman. Since then, Zimmerman has had several brushes with the law, including: ■ He was charged with aggravated assault after being accused of throwing a wine bottle at an ex-girlfriend, Brittany Brunelle. The case was dropped in January after she recanted her story and refused to cooperate. ■ Following another domestic confrontation, he was arrested on

charges of aggravated assault, battery and criminal mischief after his then-girlfriend said he pointed a gun at her face during an argument, smashed her coffee table and pushed her out of the house they shared. Samantha Scheibe decided not to cooperate with detectives, and prosecutors didn’t pursue the case. ■ Zimmerman was accused by his estranged wife of smashing an iPad during an argument at the home they had shared. Shellie Zimmerman initially told a dispatcher her husband had a gun, though she later said he was unarmed. No charges were filed because of a lack of evidence. The dispute occurred days after Shellie Zimmerman filed divorce papers.

Obama sends McConnell handwritten note The Associated Press

WASHINGTON —President Barack Obama sent Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell a handwritten note thanking the Republican for backing Loretta Lynch as attorney general. That’s right: The Democratic president and GOP leader, who have been at odds multiple times over the last six years, find themselves on the same page of late. The Kentucky senator spoke about his role in the latest political odd

couple on Sunday during a speech at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston. McConnell was the inaugural speaker for the “Getting to the Point Series.” McConnell spoke of his aspirations to be a senator, occupying Kennedy’s office in the Russell building and his drive to get work done in the Senate, with his own outreach to Democrats. The senator said his first goal in life was to be a baseball player, “but I guess my passion for procedure proved stron-

REMOVE THE “DOUBT” OUT OF LIFE It is safe to be prepared for the judgement, which is certain to occur. Amos, the great prophet, warned disobedient Israel, “Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee. prepare to meet thy God, O Israel” (Amos 4:12). Solomon gave the conclusion of it all when he wrote, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Eccl. 12:13, 14). The Hebrew writer tells us that all must expect to meet the appointments of death and the judgement. “And as it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgement” (Heb. 9:27). Why then would anyone go through this world without preparing for the next? It is absolutely wise and safe to prepare, and it is definitely foolish to be unprepared. To be saved, one must be baptized (Mark 16:16). Without submitting to baptism, one’s sins will not be remitted (Acts 22:16). The bible teaches that baptism is “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Peter wrote, “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure where unto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God.) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter. 3:20, 21). The right and safe thing to do is never to question but rather obey the Lord’s command to be baptized in order to be saved form all past sins. The church of Christ was built by Christ (Matt. 16:18; Rom. 16:16). Salvation is in the Lord’s church (Acts 2:47; Eph. 5:23). Most denominational preachers admit that their denominations have nothing to do with one’s salvation, and that you can be saved outside their denomination. Why, then, should a person enter a denomination? The end of all false religions is described by Jesus. “But he answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up” (Matt. 15:13) The Bible sets out the pattern of the local congregation with elders and deacons in each congregation (Phil. 1:1, 2). the Bible knows nothing of official conferences, associations, conventions, synods, et al. The Bible is right, so why have any man-made organizations? We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God and as such, it is an accurate, authoritative and adequate guide for life in this world and in preparing for the world to come. An understanding of it depends upon one’s care and ability to handle it aright.

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3127 Harper Rd. • Corinth, Mississippi 38834 415-3558 • Minister - Lennis Nowell Sunday Worship ............ 9:45 am, 10:30 am, 5:00 pm Wednesday Worship .......................................7:00 pm

ger than my pitching arm.” McConnell pointed out that Obama has agreed to sign a bill giving Congress review power on any nuclear deal with Iran, and this week the Senate will take up a trade bill that is a priority of the president. “A lot of folks like to joke about the odd couple that was Ted Kennedy and Orrin Hatch,” McConnell said, referring to the late Massachusetts Democrat and the Republican senator from Utah. “But I think Mitch McConnell and Barack Obama may have them outdone. I had to warn reporters not to faint last week before offering the president some praise on trade. I’m even getting handwritten notes from the president these days. He sent one the other day to thank me

for supporting the nomination of Loretta Lynch.” In his speech, McConnell was a realist, arguing that his relationship with Obama hardly comes close to the genial bond between Kennedy and Hatch who repeatedly combined forces on legislation. “What we do have, however, is common policy ground, on an issue we both think is good for the country. So the Republican majority is going to work with President Obama to get this done, even if we have to do it over the objections of his own party.” Early on in Obama’s presidency, McConnell famously said his goal was to make Obama a one-term president. “We’ve both chosen to put policy before party. That’s how politics should be conducted, in my view,” McConnell said Sunday.

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Visitation is today from 5 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 11 a.m. until the service. Mr. Smith died Sunday, May 10, 2015, at Sanctuary Hospice in Tupelo. He was born Sept. 8, 1950, in Corinth, to the late Floyd Smith and Opal Polly Hodum Peich. He enjoyed spending time with his family and his dog Jake. Survivors include his sisters, Carolyn Oathout and Denise Turner; nephews Jamie Bullock and Chuck Oathout; nieces Carlene Dees, Connie Miller, Glenda Baker, Brenda Baker, Samantha Bullock and Destiny Gibson; and a host of great-nieces and great-nephews. Bro. David Krech will officiate the service. Condolences may be left at www.memorialcorinth.com.

Tornado series kills at least 5 The Associated Press

VAN, Texas — Emergency responders searched through splintered wreckage Monday after a line of tornadoes battered several small communities in Texas and Arkansas, killing at least five people, including a young couple who died trying to shield their daughter from the storm. Eight people were still missing in a rural East Texas town, raising the possibility that the number of dead could climb. Scores of others were hurt, some critically. The couple, in their late 20s or early 30s, died when a twister hit their mobile home late Sunday in the Arkansas town of Nashville. Michael and Melissa Mooneyhan were trying to protect their daughter when the parents’ trailer flipped over and “exploded,” Howard County Coroner John Gray said. “It’s a miracle that little girl survived,” Gray said. The girl, who is about 18 months old, was taken to the hospital and later released to relatives. Once the word spreads, he added, the deaths will be a blow to the community. “That’s what it’s like in a small town,” Gray said. “You either know them or you know somebody who knows them.” In neighboring Texas, a likely tornado pummeled the small town of Van, damaging about 30 percent of the community, according to Chuck Allen, fire marshal and emergency management coordinator for Van Zandt County. Authorities confirmed at least two deaths. Eight people were still unaccounted for in Van, population 2,600, about 70 miles southeast of Dallas. Rescuers went door to door checking on neighbors. Damage was widespread, with trees uprooted and numerous homes and buildings flattened or ripped apart. At least 42 people were injured, according to two East Texas hospitals. Four patients were in critical condition. James Crawford and his wife, Thelma, rode out the storm in their mobile home in the area with some Van’s worst damage. They were in bed and did not have time to run,

she said. All she could do was roll over and give her husband a bear hug while they held on. Thelma Crawford said she believes their home lifted off the ground a bit, then came back down. “We’re like family in that neighborhood,” she said. “When one of them gets hurt, I hurt.” Fifty to 100 homes were either damaged or destroyed, Allen said. In some cases, the fronts of homes were sheared off, revealing living room furniture tossed in a jumble. Houses were spray painted with an X to indicate they had been searched by emergency workers. The town’s elementary and intermediate schools were also heavily damaged. Kimberli Shane held a muddy hand to her forehead as she watched friends and neighbors salvage furniture from the home she rented. “All I could really hear was the house pulling apart,” she said. “And my son saying, ‘Oh no, it’s right over us.’” Preliminary reports indicate 20 to 25 tornadoes formed Sunday in South Dakota, Iowa, Oklahoma and Texas, according to meteorologist Greg Carbin of the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. The storm system was expected to slowly move east, he said, with a low possibility of tornadoes in lower Michigan on Monday. Thunderstorms were forecast from Texas to the Great Lakes region. “This is certainly not an atypical system for spring where you’ve got the remnants of winter but the onset of summer,” Carbin said. The same storm system dumped 11 inches of rain in some places and caused widespread flooding. Firefighters in Corsicana, 60 miles southwest of Van, recovered the body of a driver who had ventured into the floodwaters after his vehicle stalled in a swollen creek. The heavy rain caused a huge sinkhole to open up in Granbury, some 40 miles southwest of Fort Worth. The 40-foot-wide sinkhole swallowed the parking lot of a supermarket and damaged water and sewer lines beneath, WFAA-TV reported.

Daily Corinthian • Tuesday, May 12, 2015 • 7

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